The police raid on a farm warehouse in Philidelphia  in the Western Cape follows the recent bust in Magaliesberg near Johannesburg where cannabis with a street value of R40 million was confiscated. The two raids alone have netted R70 million worth of cannabis (editor’s note: the police may be exaggerating the values of drugs confiscated) and highlight the growing demand by dozens of “grey zone” outlets selling cannabis flower.

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Although any commercial trade in cannabis is strictly illegal, there are scores of businesses that openly sell recreational cannabis, some of which are believed to be fronts for criminal cultivators. The police focus appears to be on dealers and cultivators rather than cannabis outlets, and according to SAPS, 240 alleged dealers have been arrested in the last week as part of the general anti-crime drive, Operation Shanela.

Police say that as part of Operation Shanella, R300 million worth of drugs suspected to be crystal meth were seized in Fourways Johannesburg in the last 10 days, and that in the same operation, a kidnapped businessman was rescued and eight kidnappers were arrested.

The most recent major raid was on the Cape Flats where a man and a woman were arrested. Police say they confiscated cannabis with a street value of R30 million as well as prohibited firearms and ammunition.

Western Cape police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi said an investigation was initiated after suspicious activities were reported at a farm in the Philadelphia policing precinct. This led to an integrated operation led by the Provincial Organised Crime detectives including police members of Philadelphia SAPS which he says “ pounced on the premises” in the afternoon of Thursday, 25 July 2024.

“Upon entry, a search ensued which led to the discovery of cannabis plants, compressed cannabis, two prohibited firearms and ammunition as well as an undisclosed amount of cash. The adult male and female who were present during the search could not provide an acceptable explanation nor a valid license to be in possession of such a large quantity of cannabis,” W/O Swartbooi said.

The Cape Flats raid comes as law enforcement authorities continue their clampdown on illegal grow ops and illicit drug factories.  SAPS says this year along they’ve closed down well over 30 “drug labs” and seized over R2 billion of illicit substances. In just the last month along, R70 million worth of cannabis has been confiscated in two raids – the Philidelphia farm bust and one in the Magaliesberg.

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